This was a long month! It feels like I read some of these books in another life or decade.

I had 15 books I didn’t finish which seems like a lot!

Charm City by Laura Lippman (dated, a character’s fatphobia was a major clue)

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand (eh)

Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio (ok)

Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father by April Balascio (interesting)

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell (fun idea, a little clunky)

Do I Know You?: A Faceblind Reporter’s Journey into the Science of Sight, Memory, and Imagination by Sadie Dingfelder (interesting but I think she tries to make things more universal or more tied into her issues than they are)

Others Like Me: The Lives of Women Without Children by Nicole Louie (blah)

Butcher’s Hill by Laura Lippman (Tess’ family is the worst. Why does she talk to them?)

The House of My Mother: A Daughter’s Quest for Freedom by Shari Franke (poor woman)

El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott (slow to start)

In Big Trouble by Laura Lippman (convoluted)

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman (her obsession with weight has not slowed down in 2025. More thoughts.)

Perfect Little Family by Sophie Hannah (silly but cute characters, rare mystery without murders)

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney (fun)

Clever Little Thing by Helena Echlin (I felt like I read it before but I haven’t. A lot like Baby Teeth and some other book I can’t put my finger on)